"More friends!" Erfan cackles gleefully.
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Erfan quietly skulks about, alternating between a full-blown cackle and quiet giggling as he sticks very close to Nathaniel.
Erfan cackles, waiving his hands about and finally unleashing another pair of missiles at the strongman.
Chuckling to himself, Erfan draws his spear and waves it menacingly.
Erfan cackles, running into the room ahead of the others.
Once there, he spies the two singers and conjures up a portion of his power, waiting to release it.
Erfan just starts laughing after the battle begins.
Erfan is far too out of sorts at this point for anything resembling rational behavior. Unless he is physically escorted by the others, he wanders aimlessly about in the fields outside the fairgrounds, giggling to himself and talking to crickets.
Erfan toddles about through the whole ordeal, mumbling about one thing or another or simply staring in slack-jawed awe at something at the carnival until the movement of his party mates catches his eye and snaps him out of his absent-minded reverie. He remains quiet, content to simply watch and listen, interjecting only when it seems relevant or when addressed.
Erfan gawks at the scene laid out before him, having never been exposed to such an event before.
"That plan sounds as good as any. Perhaps we'll find a seer at the carnival who can steer us in the right direction," Erfan muses.
Camp: The gnome nods. Noticing Nathaniel's distress, he leans towards the ranger and mutters, "It was worth asking. The poor girl might have been brainwashed."
Turning back to the soldiers, the gnome straightens up again. "Do you know from whence this other man hailed? I presume he was Falkovnian like the rest of you? Do you remember his name, by chance?"
Camp Group: "You say he travelled with a 'flunky' as you say? This flunky did not happen to be a young woman did it?" the gnome inquires, raising an eyebrow and scratching his stubbled chin.
Erfan, shifting uncomfortably, finally steels himself and steps towards the group of deserters. "Good morrow, gentlemen. My companions and I are seeking someone who may have recently been in your company. His name is Gilbraith and anyone who can lead us to his current whereabouts stands to benefit considerably for their cooperation," the gnome speaks in an unusually jovial tone. He gives a description of Gilbraith as best as his memory permits and waits for a response.
Erfan remains strangely aloof during the party's interaction with the sheriff and even still seems awkwardly nervous as they approach the camp. Being in unfamiliar territory for so long has clearly drawn out some kind of paranoid xenophobia within the gnome, not accustomed to being separated from his forest and his people. He mutters to himself in gnomish, wondering if they will ever encounter another of his kind in this place.
Erfan nods to Eliva's pantomime, then tries to make himself as hidden as possible near their post, squinting into the darkness and hoping to see or hear whatever the half-orc had indicated.
After only a minimal amount of complaint about being tired and fatigued, Erfan accepts his post on the first watch alongside Eliva. While the gnome was not especially perceptive, he did at least possess his race's ability to see well in poor lighting.
Erfan nods at Nathaniel's suggestions. "Whatever chicanery or misdirection I can provide to obscure our path will be at your disposal. But first... I will require rest. Soon, if at all possible."
Erfan eventually catches up to the others, his tiny legs pumping to cross the distance. "I believe it would be worthwhile to interrogate one or more of them, yes. If nothing else we could potentially learn the numbers and destinations of the local military and use this information to avoid further encounters."
Erfan sighs heavily, seeing the taller folk dash away into the distance. Still, his eyes were keen in the twilight and he could still distinguish the commander's form in the distance well enough to send another pair of shimmering bolts in his direction...
Erfan shuffles across the clearing and looses another pair of shimmering green orbs which strike the commander unerringly.
No longer wishing to create difficulties for his companions, Erfan mutters a few words and, with a wave of his hand, the plants recede.
Erfan, seeing the carnage unfolding before him, steps up beside Eliva and intones another spell, conjuring up a pair of shimmering green orbs that soar through the air and strike the wounded soldier.
The gnome scurries forward through the brush and intones a potent spell at the approaching soldiers, causing the very plants and shrubs around them to writhe with hungry ambition.
Seeing the enemy's numbers, Erfan quickly retreats back to join the others, holding up six fingers and indicating their direction before diving into the shadows.
The gnome scowls at the others, shaking his head as they frantically begin preparations. "There is a better way," he says bluntly, sighing heavily before racing ahead to meet the approaching soldiers.
"I am probably too small and weak to be of much use in retrieving the dead, but my eyes are as good as any. I will stand vigil," the gnome nods to the others, standing his spear up.
"Ahh... the sleepwalker dreams herself to unity once more," the gnome states cryptically, smiling at Tiffana's approach. "We've not yet woken up from this nightmare, so it is good to have you at our side again."
Erfan remains quietly aloof during most of the journey, only occasionally speaking his mind in cryptic turns of phrase and cursing loudly during the river fording (after all, knee-high water to a human was water enough to submerge the tiny gnome).
"This land is ill. Very, very ill. The creatures live in fear as much as the people do..." he looks upon the impaled humans and, while seemingly not as revolted by it as his companions, he nonetheless frowns. "And the monsters cannot be discerned from the gentry."
Erfan ambles out ahead of the group and eagerly waves to the frightened youth. "'Allo there! You've nothing to fear from the likes of us, we are but travelers through this land. Not bandits or brigands!"
"That's a fine idea Erfan, but did you think to head back into town to buy such supplies, or try to get them from somewhere else we might pass on the way?" "On the way, if possible. Unless one of us is gifted in the arts of shapeshifting," the gnome smirks.
Erfan remains skittish throughout his watch, periodically sniffing the air and examining individual blades of grass with a look of confusion and disgust on his face. The following morning, after a good night's sleep, he is back to his usual mischievous self again. "The Surgeon spoke of a plague in the south, where the regiment is headed and where we, I am certain, will follow. I suggest we seek ointments and unguents to ward against infection on our way there, lest we find ourselves confronted by a foe which yields not to blade or bow."
I'll take the average roll (4) for this level. Level up completed.
Erfan follows the others out of the tunnel with little more than a sarcastic grin at the guards, heading up the steps after Res and Angalia.
I agree with Mothman's division of loot. The wand of magic missile will give Erfan something practical to contribute when fighting things that are mindless and/or higher than 4 hit dice. The other scrolls can be used as needed. I will also gladly take the cloak of resistance as pretty much all of my saves suck horrifically. (+1F, +2R, +2W)
Erfan, still safely at range with his spear, tries again to strike.
Hoisting his spear and swallowing his fear, the gnome charges boldly into the fray.
Unable to harm the bugs without risking his allies and the Surgeon apparently beyond his capacity to affect with magic, Erfan reaches out towards Nathaniel and whispers words of power, rendering the ranger invisible before stepping aside.
With the vermin now crawling over their newest companion, Erfan quickly conjures up his magical energies to direct a spell at the Surgeon.
Erfan steps aside to gain a clear vantage through the doorway and, upon spying the teeming swarm, hurls a flask of alchemist's fire at the bugs.
Erfan's eyes widen at the sight of the monstrous creature, but he steels himself for battle.
Erfan nods to Angalia and moves to follow Nathaniel's lead.
Having the liquid ice pointed out to him, the invisible Erfan snatches one of the bottles off the table and hurls it at the oozes.
The gnome shimmers into view as the projectile leaves his hand, smirking mischievously.
Unseen, the gnome searches for alchemical weapons to use against the swarm.
Cornered and harassed by the grasping hands, Erfan steadies himself for a moment, intones a few brief words, and disappears.
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